LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 10, 2008) - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and USA Volleyball (USAV), in conjunction with Molten U.S.A., Inc., are pleased to announce that Ramapo College in Mahwah, N.J., has been selected as the host institution for the 2009 Molten Division III Men's Invitational Volleyball Championship to be played April 17-18, 2009.

The tournament will be held at the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center on the Ramapo campus. As the host institution, Ramapo will receive an automatic berth to the four-team tournament, its first appearance in the Molten Championship. The field will also include the champion from the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) and the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA). The fourth team will be an at-large selection from either the Midwest or West regions.

"Ramapo College has been involved in men's volleyball since 1994 and has hosted several championship tournaments and qualified for numerous Metro, NECVA and ECAC events," Ramapo Director of Athletics Mike Ricciardi said. "We have also won our share of these events. However, I feel that hosting the Molten Division III Men's Invitational Volleyball Championship is the highlight of 15 years of sponsoring and promoting Division III men's volleyball. Being involved in the tournament and hosting at the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center puts Ramapo College and our men's volleyball program in the spotlight. It's a great recruiting tool for our coaches and a great opportunity for our student athletes to showcase their ability on the court. As a member of the men's volleyball community, I think I can speak for everyone involved when I express how grateful we all are that Molten and the other supporting sponsors supported the concept of a national championship tournament, which was lacking in Division III."

Now in its 13th year, the Molten Division III Men's Invitational Volleyball Championship has grown in scope and stature during its first 12 seasons. The championship was formed due to a need for a culminating event for NCAA Division III men's volleyball. While the NCAA sponsors a national collegiate championship for men's volleyball, programs from all three divisions compete for just four berths into the yearly tournament.

Springfield College won its fifth Molten Division III Men's Invitational Volleyball Championship in 2008, breaking Juniata College's string of four consecutive championships from 2004-2007. Either Springfield or Juniata has won all but two Molten Championships, dating back to the tournament's beginning in 1997.